Umar declares candidacy for the 2023 Presidential Election

Home Minister Umar Naseer has said that he would not be running for President in the upcoming election but he would run in the 2023 Presidential Election.

Speaking on the VTV talk show “Hameedhuge Mehemaansaraa,” Home Minister Umar said that he would help however he can to win the upcoming election to President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

He said that being the President of the Maldives is a dream of his but he would allow President Yameen to complete two terms.

“I have planned to run for President in 2023 after President Yameen completes two terms. After that for the next term, with God’s Will, I will run.” Umar Naseer said.

The Home Minister said that if the people allows, he would shape the country to retain it’s Islamic sovereignty.

Umar also ran in the 2008 Presidential Election, regarding which he said that he knew he wouldn’t win before he ran.

He said that he formed a party by the name of Islamic Democratic Party (IDP) and ran for President to bring good changes to the country.

“IDP is more of a message than a party.” Umar said.

Home Minister Umar has been the target of criticism since he joined the government and has been successful as the Home Minister since he was criticizing President Yameen before that.

“Me and President Yameen had difference of opinions even when I was appointed to the cabinet. But that is not a reason for me to not serve the state and country.” Umar said.

The Home Minister said that he is working sincerely with President Yameen and a lot of things he has been advocating before are being done by this government.

Umar Naseer is one of the people who have been strongly pushing for the capital punishment in the Maldives. In 2008, Umar said that he would implement the death sentence if he became President.

President Yameen’s government has now passed capital punishment after Umar Naseer became a Minister.